Konfabulator - Gallery - Sing that iTune!

By far the best widget ever :)

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BadCorp.org: Stop funding your own oppression.

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Rotational illusion

Hurts eyes!

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Margie Makes..

I managed to miss Margit's going away party due to the last-minute invite not quite getting to me in time. But thankfully she began a blog just before she left and now she can keep us all up to date on her travels. Yay!

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Okay, I don't want to keep posting cool links today, but THEY ARE SO COOL!

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Wow. This guy is a seriously cool chalk artist.

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How cute! This is the very first page I found when using stumbleupon. :)

Posted at 2:27 AM # | Comments

The Inane Asylum: "One sign innocently queries before blatantly ordering, “Feeling Drowsy? Power Nap Now!”. The only thought in my head is, “… But stop your car first.”"

Posted at 1:56 AM # | Comments

Wow. It really is a quiet night at work!

I figured I may as well blog a bit and give the world a clue what I've been up to since I practically dropped off the face of the world as soon as I'd handed up my assignment (nearly two weeks ago!). Maybe it's because I haven't been sitting in front of a computer procrastinating. :)

I've spent a lot of the past two weeks reading. It's been fantastic. Love it. I got two books from imprints (possibly the best bookshop in the world - well, okay there's Mary Martin too).

The first one I read was "The Intellectual", which is basically (exactly as it says) four theses on intellectuals. A study in what constitutes and intellectual, how an intellectual views the world, lots of references to famous and mis-interpreted intellectuals through the ages, theoretical discussions between philosophers and intellectuals and tips on how to deal with being an intellectual. Okay, might not be everyone's cup of tea - but I thought it was fantastic.

The second book is called "Affluenza" and is a neat little study into why Australians buy and consume far too much. The basic gist is that marketers make us and our kids feel inadequate, underpriveleged, guilty and/or scared in order to get us to buy stuff we don't need. We work our asses off in jobs we hate in order to afford all the crap we feel we need to buy. Then we either continue ad nauseum or decide to downshift out of the rat race. Obviously, most people realise this is the case. What's interesting is that the book studies exactly what the general perceptions of this are and compares with what is really the case. Most people think that other people are more wasteful than they themselves are. Most people think advertising doesn't work on them. Most people think that they are struggling when they have plenty. Then it gets into such pleasantries as middle-class welfare (baby bonus anyone?) and why Australians vote with their hip pocket. I felt all the way through like it wasn't telling me anything new, yet the statistics are nauseating and I was compelled to keep reading in order to re-inforce the beliefs I already had. The book ends by inviting you to participate in a wellbeing manifesto (www.wellbeingmanifesto.net) to re-start your life in a less materialistic way. I think one of the writers is taking some of the sessions for the Adelaide Festival of  Ideas. The idea for the concept of "Affluenza" came from a national festival/think tank.

What else have I been up to? Um, watching a lot of the new Dr Who. :) Actually spending time with Alasdair. Working a *lot* more hours (will be nice to have more money!). Doing stuff for IV (6 months left!). Went shopping/drinking with Tanya (12/6). Went out with Daniel Hardy too (17/6). Can you believe it? I saw real life friends I don't live with, sleep with or sing with.. That's a rare occurence!

I also watched "End of Suburbia" with Oscar, Clare and Alasdair at an Adelaide Uni Screening (16/6). Some of that was fairly depressing (like how much crap developed countries produce and how many highways there are in America). Generally, I feel better now because I'm looking forward to a world when bikes and trains are the main forms of transport. Bring on that ride to Melbourne!

All these documentary books and movies I've indulged in lately have done my head in a bit. I re-watched The Corporation as well. Maybe I should round it off with re-reading/watching all of the Michael Moore stuff, Fast Food Nation and Super Size Me. Then I'll be feeling very militant-lefty-anti-globalisation-wannabe-vegetarian-hippy. No real change then :)

Do you want to know something really gross? Alasdair needs new clothes (no really he does - It's winter and he has no trousers other than his suit pants!) so last night we went to Marion Shopping Centre, since it was late night shopping. It was *so* bland and sterile. It was horrible. I really don't want to go back there again. Worse still, have you seen how much of Oaklands Park (the suburb) is now car park?!?! Walking in from the train station we realised that there isn't even really a viable pedestrian entry from that side of the shopping centre. You sort of end up walking right across the roundabout. It's pretty sick though. That place is just a sea of cars and cement. Then you get inside and it's a sea of people eating crap and buying junk. All the shops look the same. And it was LOUD and BRIGHT. Like people really *want* to feel like they are walking through a giant Coles refrigerator aisle.

"Apathetic bloody planet. I've no sympathy at all."

Posted at 12:02 PM # | Comments

Alasdair found me a laptop for free! It's small and really good! I have to wait until he's removed National Jet Stuff from it.. but then it's mine! Whee!

Posted at 2:47 AM # | Comments

I am longing to be able to listen to the radio while I work. To be able to have web access.

I also want to be able to do things that actually make a difference. To not be firefighting customer complaints. To not be selling loans to people when I don't believe it will do them any good. To not be in a position whereby to help myself I have to neglect to help the member and vice versa. To not be selling at all. To not be talking to customers at all.

To not be stuck dealing with useless managers who don't have a basic grasp of the English language and who fail to actually understand what I am talking about.

Posted at 8:26 AM # | Comments

You scored as Buffy Summers. You are a very strong individual. You do, however, have some trouble admitting how you truely feel. You've experienced a lot during your life, but you more than manage. Always willing to help, you're a great friend. Buffy Summers 100% Spike 83% Dawn Summers 79% Anya 71% Rupert Giles 71% Willow Rosenberg 71% Xander Harris 50% Tara Maclay 50% Which Buffy The Vampire Slayer Character Are You Most Like!? created with QuizFarm.com

Posted at 5:18 AM # | Comments

Radio National: Audio Downloads: Podcasting and MP3s: "Audio downloading gives Radio National the potential to reach listeners in new ways. It also allows listeners more control over which programs they hear, when, and even where. "

The ABC just rock.

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Interlaken and Jungfrau: "Interlaken Tourism
H�eheweg 37
Interlaken CH-3800
Ph: 41 33 826 5300
Fax: 41 33 826 5375
www.interlakentourism.ch
www.myswitzerland.com"

Okay, so I watched a teensy bit of Teev last night. I saw Getaway and now I really want to visit Switzerland. I want to see the Ice Palace. It was an amazing carved ice cavern with an Ice Bar in it. So cool. :)

Posted at 2:47 AM # | Comments

Weird shit I found in newspapers recently. I *really* don't understand that picture. Not one bit.

Posted at 4:23 PM # | Comments

Finally, I've done it all. Tomorrow I will no doubt read it through a few million times just to make sure it's perfect. But I can't do that now - Too spaced out. Tired!

That's Tourism Law OVER! One subject down 3 to go. (Well, for this semester anyway)

Posted at 4:02 PM # | Comments

the Drex blog: "Blackwood's Special People

For some reason Blackwood seems to have a large number of intellectually different people living in the community. I believe there used to be some facility on what used to be Craigburn Farm before it was undoubtedly bulldozed to make way for yet another 260-square-metres-of-living-space Georgian monstrosity. Anyway, kudos to the 'special people' of Blackwood - they are all more or less harmless, even if confronting at times. I must say, meeting some of the freaks in my professional environment has been made much easier thanks to some of the conversations I have had whilst walking down the road or working in my front yard."

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The Australian: Closeted existence for tenant [May 28, 2005]: "LONDON: London's smallest apartment, a converted storage closet measuring just five square metres, has found a tenant for $1409.13 a month.

Gordon Blausten, of the Bruten and Co real estate agency, said the 'tiny but trendy' apartment packed in kitchenette, shower and wardrobe under a loft bed."

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This is what Ali really thinks of Alice :)

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Codelog:
"Name:Daniel O'Connor. Location:Adelaide, South Australia, Australia"

When you see an article about Adelaide Citilan on Slashdot that refers to Daniel O'Connor and you know the same one I do.. the only thing that surprises me is that he'd bother to post.

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This is both freaky and cool :)

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Change of wallpaper

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I forgot to say anything about Ali's Party on Saturday night. The party was fantastic - even the aftermath the next day was great. I haven't got any photos because it was all too dark for my phone. I can guarantee that she is now officially older and has been reunited with her favourite teddy bear.

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Currently dooling at this..

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This explains why I am going crazy :)

Wellbeing Manifesto

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Jayne's Birthday!

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Well, since the ruling that we are not allowed to read papers, magazines, homework etc when it's completely dead at work I have been wondering exactly what it is I will do when it's dead on a Friday night. I mean, no-one wants to get a call on a Friday night asking how they are going with their loan application. Most likely they'll be at the pub and not even answer their phone. And if they do answer they will only be grumpy at your poor timing.

So, I have spent the last 20 minutes staring at the wall. Since I'm on my period and my panadol hadn't kicked in yet that's probably all I was capable of doing anyway... so no loss. Pretty boring wall though.

Basically, without reading material allowed I am reduced to the very few websites I am allowed to view through the firewall.. and anything I can do by email.

So.. my next few hours are going to involve the white and yellow pages, footy tips, mbf, beyond blue, cancer sa... and blogging by email.

I can send IV emails but they almost always bounce and I don't have any of my materials at work... makes it hard to do.

BOOOOOOORRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDD.

I guess I can't complain. It's better than doing actual work. :)

So this is me.. not complaining. Rather, wasting time by typing just for something to do.

I just rang home and had a chat with Ali. Party things progressing nicely - shoes and cakes and visitors and the like. Yay!

Finally, my panadol seems to have kicked in. Now I only have to deal with the space cadet side effects of being a girl at this time of month. Oh well. I guess it's like free drugs. Whee! (Or not)

Well, my team has decided to go in the x-lotto mega draw tomorrow night.. if we win I think we should all submit resignation letters that simply say the winning numbers. :) The likelihood of winning is so low, though. :(

*sigh*

I swear, working in a boring job makes you so bored that your brain actually stops bothering to try anymore.

Posted at 10:32 AM # | Comments

<tadpoleofdeath> Why do so many math majors confuse Halloween and Christmas?
<elfking> why?
<tadpoleofdeath> Because Oct 31 is Dec 25


Posted at 9:18 AM # | Comments

Bwahaha. Not that I think certain people should be released just because they might be innocent. I mean if a court has found her guilty then there has to be a reason.

Posted at 2:51 AM # | Comments

Hmm. I'm listening to Philip Glass - Circles.. notably the track "Etoile Polaire (North Star)". The start seriously sounds like the start of a Tori Amos song. This leaves just one question. How much Philip Glass does Tori listen to?

Posted at 1:57 AM # | Comments